Jonesville grad earns WMU honor

andy.barrand@hillsdale.netKALAMAZOO — Jonesville High School graduate Amy Barrington was recently honored as one of 44 Western Michigan University students named as a 2013 Presidential Scholar.

The annual Presidential Scholar designation is the highest honor WMU can bestow on an undergraduate. The honor was for her work in environmental studies.

“I had to reread my email several times when I received it to make sure I won it,” she said.

Barrington who will be graduating April 27 has earned a dual major in environmental studies and English. After graduation she is hoping to acquire a job in public relations for an environmental firm.

She said she has always had a love for nature and the environment.

“I grew up in the middle of nature, my dad is very much into conservation and taking care of the environment,” said Barrington.

Her hope is to become editor of an environmental publication in the future.

She is currently looking for full-time or an internship position for the summer in the environmental field. She has applied for an internship with the Department of Environmental Quality working in the press department.

The past three summers she has held an internship at the Marathon Petroleum Co., where she has learned a great deal about environmental regulations related to the petroleum industry.

She recently returned from a mission trip to Quilali, Nicaragua. While on the trip she worked with food distribution for residents of the city. She also had the opportunity to talk with the mayor of the city about their economic future.

“It was amazing and a life changing experience to be in a third world country,” she said. “It is definitely something I would do again.”

Barrington has been on the dean’s list every semester. On campus she has been a member of the Wesley Foundation. She also has done volunteer work at Crystal Springs Camp and with the Cass Community sustainability project in Detroit.

The award goes to the most outstanding seniors in each of the University’s academic schools, departments and specialty programs. Only the highest caliber of students receive the award. They are selected on the basis of their general academic excellence, academic and artistic excellence in their majors, and intellectual and artistic promise.

This year’s scholars were recognized during the 33rd annual Presidential Scholars Convocation, held on campus March 21. During the event, the students received certificates from Dr. John M. Dunn, president of WMU, and Dr. William G. Rantz, president of the WMU Faculty Senate.

The convocation, which also celebrates the overall excellence of the University’s students, is sponsored by the Office of the President and Faculty Senate at WMU.